Sunday, March 9, 2014

Getting There


Progress continues on my Ceil Chapman project.


Instead of adding a lining to an already intricate design, I decided to go the easy route and underline as suggested by the instructions. 


The back skirt drape, which I initially thought was tacked on top of a fitted skirt or attached with a belt, turns out to be part of the actual design and held at the center back with two internal “lining” pieces.  I do not agree with the description, and would consider those pieces a "stay" to help the soft pleats remain in their proper place.


After living on my dress form for a couple of days, the pleated section started to drop (not very surprising as it is cut on the bias).  I find straightening a hemline to be a tedious process, so doing a bit here and there in between more interesting parts of construction helps to make it less painful.


To keep the bodice lining neck edge from stretching, I added a length of seam binding and stitched just inside the seam allowance.


And I ended up replacing the given neckline facing with a bias strip of my bemberg lining.  


This midweight wool is probably a little on the heavy side for this design (the sleeves were my first hint) so adding more bulk with a wool facing did not seem like a great idea.


For raw edges that were too bulky for a single fold of seam binding, I used two.  Two lengths were applied, one on each side of the seam, at which point the top edges were stitched shut with a zig-zag stitch.  This process was used on the waistline seam as well as the armhole edges.


This is really starting to look like a dress!





10 comments:

  1. Looks like all that pattern work paid off. Your dress looks fab! :)

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  2. Looks fantastic. I'm enjoying seeing it come to life.

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  3. It is looking gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing you model it!

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  4. Oh, it's looking beautiful!! That drape in the front is stunning.

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  5. Goodness, that is a timelessly beautiful dress. Your choice of fabric (and colours) here is stellar - it adds to the natural cocktail/evening dress shape all the more.

    ♥ Jessica

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  6. This dress will be beautiful! You are really inspiring me to try out more difficult patterns and give more attention to the garments I make!

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  7. Spectacular, per your usual output!

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  8. Time to trot out the, "It's so sharp, I'd wear it, and I'm a guy!" award.

    Laura Mae, please rock this frock downtown, or beside a vintage vehicle, or at another house with a cool staircase (the back story as to whomever you meet adds a serendipitous layer your readers crave - and yes, I am speaking for all of us).

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  9. Hi Laura, love the dress it looks perfect. I love the fabric you used to, where did you get it?

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  10. Thank you for showing the details as you make progress on this gorgeous dress. I really enjoy seeing and reading about the inside story.

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